September was an outstanding month. Savory students and staff came back to school ready to work and learn together with a positive and enthusiastic outlook. The community has grown with new staff, new students and a facelift from fresh paint throughout the building. Many returning families have commented on the clean, spacious feeling the new paint colours have created and it is reflected in the happy faces of our students too.
Continue reading newsletter click here: October 6
Hello Savory,
Please read the following message from our PAC:
Welcome to the Savory Elementary PAC!
The PAC, otherwise known as the Parents Advisory Council, is a group of parents and guardians who meet on a monthly basis to discuss and plan activities, events, and fundraisers for Savory Elementary. The PAC works closely with school administrators and teachers to organize events and activities that will enrich the lives of students at Savory and our community. All parents and guardians of Savory Elementary are encouraged and welcome to join the PAC and attend our monthly meetings. PAC meetings are an excellent way to keep informed on what is going on within Savory and meet / connect with other parents and caregivers. The meetings are generally held on the second Wednesday of each month. The meetings run from 6:00 pm to approximately 7:30 pm at the school. Our first meeting is September 10.
Members of the PAC are typically involved in the following activities:
● Fundraising for school equipment, field trips and cultural events
● Planning special events for family fun
● Organizing food for fun (hot lunch days)
● Liaising with Principal and Vice Principal about daily happenings
● Enhancing teacher / parent communications whenever possible
● Many more opportunities as needed
For more information about the PAC or to get involved, please contact the PAC Executive via email at pacsavory@gmail.com. We also have a Facebook page, Savory Elementary PAC.
We currently have two vacant PAC executive positions, Secretary and SPEAC representative.
PAC Hot Lunch/Snack Days
As we start another exciting year at school, it is also time to get PAC hot lunch and snack days up and running. We will be using online ordering to ensure accuracy of orders and to make the process as easy as possible for everyone. Please note: the system is reset at the end of every school year so even if you were registered previously you will need to re-register for the 2025/2065 school year. Here’s how to get started…
● Go to savory.hotlunches.net
● Click on “Click Here to Register”
● Complete the registration form and click “Register Now”
● On the welcome screen click on the green “Students”
● Complete the details for your student and click “Insert”. To add additional students, click the “Add New” button.
● Once your student(s) are registered, click on “Orders”
● Proceed to order hot lunch or fundraising items for your students
Our first PAC hot lunch is The Crazy Cookie House on Thursday September 18th. Orders are Due September 11th. If you have questions about hot lunch/snack days or want to volunteer to help out on hot lunch/snack days please email savorypacevents@gmail.com
Savory Elementary Winter Fundraising 2025
We are happy to start off our PAC winter fundraising efforts. As a PAC we try to provide a variety of fundraising opportunities throughout the school year. Please do not feel any pressure as we do not expect everyone to participate or buy products from all fundraisers. We never want to cause hardship for families. Fundraisers being sent home by email and sometimes with paper copies. Information will also be posted to the hot lunch website (savory.hotlunches.net). The money generated fully goes back to support the students at Savory Elementary. Any questions regarding fundraising please contact savoryfundraising@gmail.com
Ongoing Fundraisers:
● Peninusula CO-OP ○ CO-OP #33749 ○ A percentage of sales on gas, grocery, and liquor will be given to Savory PAC
● Bottle Depot ○ You can take your returnables there and ask for the funds to be deposited into the Savory Account #763.
● Mabels Labels ○ Go to campaigns.mabelslabels.com and search for Savory Elementary School PAC ○ Savory will receive 20% of all orders. Upcoming Fundraisers and how to order:
● Purdy’s Chocolates ○ Campaign is active! ○ Order online at https://fundraising.purdys.com Customer ID 12894 ○ Last Day to order Sunday November 30th ○ Pick up date is before Winter Break, information will go out via email and our Facebook page
● Dieleman Fundraising: Wrapping Paper, Household Items, Holiday treats (Starts Sept 15)
● Art Cards (Starts October 20th with students creating artwork in their classes)
● Hilltop Greenhouses: Poinsettias, House Plants and Holiday Planters (more info soon)
Thank you Savory families! Have a wonderful weekend!
September 5, 2025
Dear Savory Families,
We have had a fabulous week kicking off the 2025-2026 school year! Students have been happy to
reunite with friends and get back into routine, and the staff have been excited to spend time with
returning students and meet new ones.
Personally, this week has been very special for me. I have felt welcomed, supported and
encouraged by the community at Savory. It is clear that I have landed in a joyful and caring school
where the students’ wellbeing and education are everyone’s main priority. It is going to be an
outstanding year!
Plan for tomorrow
Students will move to their new classes tomorrow. At the end of the day, teachers will dismiss
students from the field where we will be lined up in our Fire Drill muster spots. Hopefully, this will
make the end of day pick-up smooth as the students will be exiting from new doors and you may
not have known where to locate them. If you already have a pick-up plan in place with your child,
we will encourage students to communicate that plan to their new teacher so that they can follow
it at the end of the day. For example, if your child meets you at the loop in your car, they will be
able to leave the line to meet you in the loop. This option is simply to ensure students are in one
place to prevent any worry over not being able to find them at their new exit.
Updates:
Change to boundaries at playtimes
We have created a few new boundaries for students at breaktimes that ensure students are not
playing at the front of the school during the school day. We reviewed these changes with students
at an assembly today and they demonstrated their understanding by sticking within the new
boundaries at an extra recess this afternoon. It was brilliant!
Reminders:
• Please make sure that you visit the Consent link to update your child’s permissions.
• Please also take time to review the Sooke School District Elementary School Code of
Conduct with your child. We will not be completing a signed form this year however, we
will review the District Code of Conduct with students over the course of the year. You will
notice that this document also refers to the expectations around personal devices. At the
Elementary school level, the devices we see most often are smart watches. Students will be
asked to keep their smart watch in their backpack, along with any other personal devices,
during the school day. If at any time you need to connect with your child, please contact
the school office and we will ensure that your child gets the necessary information. As the
main safety provider during the day, it is important that we are in the loop to prevent any
surprises.
Thank you for your warm welcome and for sharing your children with us. I am so impressed with
this community of students that know how being respectful, kind and safe creates an environment
where everyone can thrive.
Sincerely,
Ceilidh Deichmann
Kindergarten Gradual Entry Schedule
As your child starts their year of Kindergarten, we are having the students spend time
with our Kindergarten teachers. This will give the teachers a chance to meet the
children and get to know them. After the two 1/2 days of gradual entry the
Kindergarten classes will be created for the year.
***Please note that our configuration in 2025-2026 has 2 Kindergarten classes at this time. This
might change in the fall. *** If you have any questions about this combination, please contact new Ms. Ceilidh Deichmann at
cdeichmann@sd62.bc.ca, new Principal.
Gradual entry begins Friday, September 5 and runs until Tuesday, September 9. If there are any
changes to this schedule in September, we will let you know during the first week of school.
The first full day of Kindergarten is Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Your child is in group (See the subject line in your email); please pack a snack and a drink for your child each
day.
Friday, Sept. 5, 2025
Group Teacher Time
A Ms. Vernon (room 1013) 12:40-2:30 PM
B Ms. Orchard (room 1014) 12:40-2:30 PM
Monday, Sept. 8, 2025
C Ms. Vernon (room 1013) 9:15-11:15 AM
A Ms. Orchard (room 1014) 9:15-11:15 AM
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025
B Ms. Vernon (room 1013) 9:15-11:15AM
C Ms. Orchard (room 1014) 9:15-11:15AM
Please complete the Kindergarten information sharing questionnaire here
https://forms.office.com/r/RC5sfQSai6.
Good morning all,
Family Food Markets –
I am so excited to share that there will be Family Food Markets provided by Flourish Foods during the summer time.
Flourish is excited to invite families to participate in our weekly food markets! Flourish will arrive at set locations (see attached poster) with fresh food offerings for families to take home and enjoy. These will be locally gleaned foods from our friends at the Mustard Seed; think carrots, lettuce, potatoes, berries, bread and more!
Families will be invited to try out new recipes at home using the provided foods to help Flourish build recipes and lesson plans for the following school year. Feedback gathered from families who choose to participate will be crucial to building connections gardens and food systems in school. We really hope to see you there!
Please see attached poster for dates and times.
We are looking forward to a terrific last day here at Savory. Dismissal is at our regular 2:38 pm time.
Happy Summer everyone!
Renee, Principal
Good morning everyone,
Please see attached information.
We will have our final year end assembly for students and staff at 10:30 am tomorrow. Dismissal is at 2:38 pm as usual.
Have a wonderful day!
Info for Parents and Guardians June 25 2025.pdf
Thanks!
Renee, Principal
Good afternoon everyone,
What a fantastic day today at Esquimalt Lagoon! Thank you to the many families who joined today. And thank you to the Savory staff for a terrific day!
Tomorrow is our Grade 5 Celebration Ceremony. Guests are welcome to arrive and enter the gym for 10:30 am. We will then call classes down and have the ceremony begin at 10:45 am. We are looking forward to this opportunity to celebrate this amazing group of kiddos!
Report Cards are ready in MyEd for Wednesday noon.
Thursday is the last day of classes so please send bags home with kiddos tomorrow and Wednesday to pack up their belongings.
Pacific FC visited last week and have the following offer to families….
A free $5 ticket with every $20 ticket purchased (essentially an additional ticket 75% off). It’s a great option for families and kids that want to end our match on June 27th at 7:00 pm. Here is the link…
https://www.gofevo.com/event/Schoolsout54
Thank you all!
Renee, Principal
When: Beach Day is Monday, June 23th
Where: As a school event/field trip, we will be leaving the school at 9:00ish to travel to the Esquimalt Lagoon for the day. We will be returning to school at approximately 2:20 pm as busses will be picking us up at 2:00 pm to return to Savory.
What: We will be spending the day exploring the beach; playing on the beach; enjoying time together. We will not be swimming. Children are allowed at the water’s edge up to their knees. We have 3 lifeguards helping to ensure that all are safe at the shoreline.
Supervision: Students will be supervised by their classroom teacher as well as our Educational Assistant staff, Student Engagement Facilitator, other staff and school administration.
Note: Parents are welcome to join us for the day but will need to use your own transportation. Please sign the permission form below and indicate if you are planning to join us and can help supervise the students. Thank you for your help!
Cost: no cost – Thank you to our terrific PAC for funding the Lifeguards and the busses.
In order for our beach day to be safe and fun we ask that the following requests be followed and respected:
Clothing
Children will need to be dressed in preparation for both hot and cool June weather. We recommend:
- a change of clothing. (sweats and sweatshirts work well as jeans become very heavy to carry and wear if damp or wet)
- a jacket or sweater
- a towel for drying feet
- shoes that will be good for walking and shoes suitable for sand and wading
- a pack to carry their own belongings – the children will be responsible for all their items
Sun Protection
Children are asked to have both a hat and sunscreen lotion. Please write your child’s name on each item.
Food
Students need to provide their own lunch. Children get very hungry when out of doors for long periods of time so we ask that you pack extra snacks/drinks for your child… Please pack extra WATER for your child(ren).
Swimming and Wading
There are lifeguards on duty but given that we are on the seaside with tide and waves to contend with, children will not be allowed to swim. Children will be able to wade up to their knees and only where and when it is safe. We will indicate boundaries using pylons and expect students to stay within our school boundaries.
Sand Toys/Equipment
Children are welcome to bring shovels, buckets, and containers for making castles, etc. Please write your child’s name on any beach toys. Children will need to be able to carry this equipment in their pack and be responsible for bringing it to, and from, the beach and the bus.
Families on the beach
Beach day is one of our favourite days as a school. We know families like to come as well. Unfortunately, we don’t have the manpower and resources to look after children who aren’t students- we are only responsible for the safety and security of our students. We ask that parents are extra vigilant of younger children who are not yet part of our school. We wouldn’t want an older student to knock into a toddler while playing on the beach. Should you choose to pick-up your child from the beach, please check them out with teacher.
Cancellation
We will need to cancel the trip if the weather is horrible. Unfortunately, due to bussing schedules etc. in the event that the trip is cancelled, we will not be able to schedule another day. We will send out an email early in the morning in the case of cancellation.